Articles tagged with Ocean Physics
A study published in Nature shows that a release of carbon dioxide from the deep Southern Ocean helped bring an end to the last Ice Age. The finding provides insight into how oceanic carbon storage affects climate change.
Researchers estimate that only one-fifth of terrestrial rainfall enters the ocean through overland channels, while a vast amount flows directly from the ocean. A subterranean estuary, which Moore has termed, plays a crucial role in exchanging water and nutrients between the ocean and land.
A team at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München shows that temperature gradients in pore systems promote cyclical replication and emergence of nucleic acids. The researchers demonstrate a setting where pore systems on the seafloor, heated by volcanic activity, can serve as reaction chambers for RNA synthesis.
Scientists propose the Anthropocene began with the nuclear age on July 16, 1945. Human-made changes, such as artificial radionuclides and increased carbon emissions, altered the Earth system, leading to a 'Great Acceleration'. The start date marks the historic turning point when humans accessed an enormous new energy source.
Scientists have created a new map of the world's seafloor, offering a more vivid picture of deep ocean structures. The map reveals thousands of previously uncharted seamounts, along with new clues about continental formation and earthquake patterns.
A new map of the world's seafloor has been created using satellite data, revealing thousands of previously uncharted sea mountains and providing new clues about deep ocean structures. The map, which is twice as accurate as the previous version, also reveals details of continental connections across South America and Africa.
Dr. Kattawar's work on polarization and radiative transfer theory has advanced knowledge of the ocean's nature and consequences of light. He has received numerous teaching awards, mentored over 40 students, and served on academic advisory committees.
A team of researchers has successfully replicated the amplification of cosmic magnetic fields in a laboratory experiment, using supercomputer simulations and high-powered laser beams. The findings provide insight into the origins of magnetic fields in interstellar space.
Researchers used high-powered lasers to create table-top supernovae, recreating the explosive events that occur when stars reignite or collapse. The experiments revealed irregular 'knotty' features and intense radio and X-ray emissions, confirming a theory about the interaction between magnetic fields and interstellar material.
Researchers found long-term cycles in oceanic carbon isotope sequence, suggesting a connection between ice-sheet and carbon cycles. The study reveals that the Southern Ocean's nutrient transfer led to major changes in global ocean biogeochemistry.
The OCEAN CERTAIN project aims to improve understanding of the biological pump, a process that absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in marine sediments. The four-year, $12 million project will investigate the importance of this process in shaping future climate change.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has announced the winners of its inaugural short article and photography competition. Laura Hepburn's essay on underwater hydrothermal vents won the top prize, while Paul Hopwood's image of burying beetles processing an animal carcass took second place in the photography section. The comp...
Scientists found that continent nuclei formed as a byproduct of mountain-building processes, stacking up slabs of cold oceanic crust to create thick 'keels' in the mantle. This process supported the overlying crust and enabled continents to form.
Dr. Steve Holbrook receives Walter Munk Award for his pioneering work in Seismic Oceanography, providing novel insights into internal waves and ocean dynamics. He is honored for his research and service to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the field.
A new subduction zone has been detected off the coast of Portugal, marking the beginning of a cycle that will close the Atlantic Ocean. The Iberian subduction zone will pull Iberia towards the United States over approximately 220 million years.
Researchers from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and University of Wisconsin-Madison discover the crystalline secrets of vaterite with the help of a needlelike spicule from a sea squirt. They found that vaterite is composed of two different crystal structures coexisting within a pseudo-single crystal.
Researchers found that 10% of dissolved organic carbon in rivers comes from charcoal, highlighting the need for greater consideration of carbon sequestration techniques. The study's findings have implications for mitigating climate change by improving our understanding of the environmental fate of charcoal.
Scientists use direct statistical simulation to model fluid jets, fast-moving flows in oceans and atmosphere. The new approach is a key step toward bringing basic physics models to bear on climate science, enabling more efficient climate simulations.
A Wayne State University researcher is part of an international effort to study the movement of chemical compounds through the world's oceans. The project aims to investigate how carbon is exported from the upper 100 meters of ocean water to deeper waters and how hydrothermal waters affect the removal of polonium and lead.
Researchers have discovered that magma in oceanic crust is cycled through the Earth's surface before eruption, altering previous theories on the formation of oceanic crust. This breakthrough could help scientists better understand the conditions of mantle melting and production of the Earth's most-common rock.
A University of Houston geologist is leading an international team on a two-month, $10 million expedition to drill into the Pacific Ocean's lower crust. The voyage aims to distinguish between competing theories on magma intrusion, shedding light on volcanic seafloor spreading and oceanic processes.
A team of researchers recovered sediment cores from the Pacific Ocean, revealing fluctuations in the carbonate compensation depth over millions of years. The findings suggest that climate development and carbon cycle interactions were more complex than previously thought.
Kendall L. Carder has been recognized with the Jerlov Award for his groundbreaking research on in situ optical measurements, underwater imaging systems, and ocean color remote sensing. His contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of light in the ocean.
A new collaborative study between the University of Miami and Navy Postgraduate School will investigate critical oceanic processes involved in Large-Scale Eddy-Driven Patterns (LEDPs). The project aims to improve understanding of LEDPs, which can impact climate projections and transport heat, salinity, momentum, and carbon.
The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics hosts a free public event to explore the mathematics underlying movie special effects. Dr. Robert Bridson will discuss the math and physics behind 3D special effects used in movies and computer animations.
A new 2D visualization tool called HemoVis has been developed to diagnose heart disease more accurately than traditional 3D models. The tool uses a tree diagram of arteries with areas of disease highlighted and is shown to be more accurate and efficient for patient diagnosis.
Researchers found that Hawai'i hosts three limpet species, 'opihi makai', 'alinalina' and 'ko'ele, which speciated within the archipelago along an ecological gradient. These findings reset the bar for marine speciation in Hawai'i.
New research reveals striking similarities between ancient and modern oceanic crust, shedding light on early Earth's heat loss and tectonic settings. The study extends the record of oceanic crust generation back to at least 3.8 billion years ago.
Peter Mumby is recognized for his work on coral reef conservation strategies, influencing conservation policy and contributing to the implementation of marine park protections. His research has provided insight into the consequences of conserving herbivorous fishes, reducing nutrient runoff, and restoring urchin populations.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has selected 118 outstanding researchers as recipients of the prestigious Sloan Research Fellowships for 2011. These early-career scientists and scholars will receive $50,000 fellowships to support their original research in various fields.
The Capasso lab has successfully demonstrated highly collimated unidirectional microlasers, enabled by whispering gallery modes in an elliptical cavity. This breakthrough has significant applications in photonics, including sensing and communications.
The NASA GRIP experiment gathered valuable data on Atlantic hurricanes Earl and Karl, capturing rapid intensification and storm development. Scientists analyzed the data to gain a better understanding of what causes hurricanes to form and strengthen.
Researchers at Harvard University reveal a two-step process that creates a ring of smaller bubbles when a large bubble bursts. The curved nature of the bubble plays a critical role in this phenomenon, which has been observed in various environments and materials.
Mikhail Mikhailovich Ermolaev was a prominent Soviet Arctic scientist who worked for 13 years before being arrested and sent to the Gulag on trumped-up charges. Despite harsh conditions, he eventually resumed his academic career and established a new department at Kaliningrad State University.
A new special issue of Oceanography presents groundbreaking research on seamounts, highlighting the importance of these underwater mountains for marine life and global ocean health. The study reveals devastating impacts from overfishing and habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices.
Scientists confirm volcanic processes in Ethiopian rift are similar to those at world's oceans, suggesting a new sea is forming. The rift tore open along its entire 35-mile length in just days, with magma pushing up through the middle and beginning to 'unzip' it.
Researchers identified a mysterious microbe, SUP05, that plays a crucial role in shaping the ecology of oxygen-deficient zones. The microbe helps remove toxic sulfides and fixes carbon dioxide, but also produces greenhouse gases, making it a paradoxical organism.
The University of Guam received a $370K Sea Grant Extension Program grant to focus on youth outreach and environmental stewardship. The program aims to improve K-12 science curricula, promote environmental awareness, and support sustainable practices in coastal resource management.
The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System has awarded a $1.9 million grant to the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory to develop ocean observing systems in the Pacific Northwest. The project will enhance data access and inform decision-making on safety, economy, and environmental protection.
Farming of fish in ocean cages promotes infection and lowers fitness of wild fish, leading to higher death rates. Sea lice are a major example of disease transfer in ocean fish farming, causing widespread decline of wild fish populations.
Researchers use wave energy to pump cold, nutrient-rich water from deep ocean to surface waters near Hawaii, aiming to control plankton growth. They believe this can help mitigate global greenhouse buildup by understanding large-scale interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
Marine microorganisms have evolved a way to break the rules of photosynthesis, releasing less oxygen and absorbing fewer carbon dioxide. This discovery impacts our understanding of photosynthesis and its effect on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers use a new technique to analyze rainfall trends, finding systematic patterns in heavy and light rain, but no consistent trend in moderate rain. The study resolves the challenge of detecting long-term global rainfall trends, providing insight into climate change's impact on weather events.
A global strategy for investigating Earth's geodynamics has been developed through international collaboration, aiming to advance understanding of continental rifting and break-up. The proposal includes sampling young, active rifting zones and ancient continental margins to investigate magma-forming processes associated with rifting.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have made a groundbreaking discovery in air bubble behavior, revealing that they can tear apart instead of pinching off. This phenomenon has significant implications for our understanding of fluid dynamics and the equations that govern it.
A study by UCLA physicists reveals a connection between water vapor in the atmosphere and intense rainfall, using statistical properties similar to those found in magnets. This finding may lead to more accurate climate models and improved precipitation prediction under global warming.
Boston University has reached the 59th position on the TOP500 List of Supercomputing Sites with its new BlueGene/L unit, which will be used by approximately 500 researchers. The supercomputer's computational power will enable research in subnuclear physics, genetics, and space weather modeling.
According to a survey of 180 Ph.D. recipients in Earth and space sciences, the vast majority (87%) found work in their field, earning commensurate or slightly higher salaries than in 2001 and 2002. Most graduates were employed in academia, with positive attitudes towards their employment situation and challenging yet relevant work.
A Florida Tech scientist has received a $1.7 million NSF grant to develop an integrated science teaching enhancement partnership, which will help design and pilot learning modules linking earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics
Scientists have created a mathematical model that accurately describes the evolution and movement of tectonic microplates, which are dynamic whirlpools of ocean floor found at mid-ocean ridges. The model uses a wax tank to simulate the ocean floor, replicating patterns seen in the Earth's crust.
Researchers found that soft flaky skin helps reduce drag caused by friction and shedding of the skin disturbs whirlpools of water called vortices, reducing drag. The study could help build faster boats and submarines using natural dolphin-inspired solutions.
A recent study published in Nature announces a major advance in the study of Amazon Basin's hydrology and geochemistry dynamics. The research partnership has yielded precise measurements of water, sediment, and geochemical inputs contributed by the Amazon's main tributaries.
A team of scientists from the University of Rhode Island and several institutions will develop new models to predict the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems. The Partnership for Advancing Interdisciplinary Global Modeling (PARADIGM) aims to create global ocean models that can predict future states of the ocean.
Researchers are studying the small hairs on lobsters' antennules to capture odors at high resolution. By understanding how these hairs process information, scientists hope to create more efficient chemical-sensing systems for the Navy.
Researchers found high concentrations of discharged microbes in ballast water from ships arriving at Chesapeake Bay ports. The study highlights the need for greater concern about biological invasions and emergent diseases, as non-indigenous microorganisms can cause significant ecological and disease processes.
Researchers have found that large aggregates of bacteria and plankton collide with particles millions of times faster than predicted, leading to enhanced coagulation in wastewater treatment and industrial manufacturing. This discovery has significant implications for the ocean's carbon dioxide balance and global atmospheric conditions.
Dr. Robert Pinkel, a leading researcher in acoustical oceanography, has received the prestigious Walter Munk Award for his groundbreaking contributions to Doppler methods and sector scan sonar technology. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of small-scale ocean structure.
A University of Illinois researcher has shed light on the formation of silica-rich glasses in xenoliths by studying the chemical interaction between sodium and mantle rocks. The study reveals that sodium diffusion can significantly alter magma composition, leading to anomalous mineral ratios found beneath mid-ocean ridges.
A dense brownish haze layer extended from the ocean surface to 1-3 km altitude, impacting climate processes over the northern Indian Ocean. The haze reduced solar radiation absorbed by the ocean surface by as much as 10%, altering weather and climate dynamics.
Researchers created a wax experiment that replicates ocean floor spreading, allowing them to study millions of years of geological time. The experiments revealed the formation of microplates, tiny chunks of solid wax that roll up and rotate in a spiral shape, mirroring the Earth's natural phenomenon.